A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hanke family of England.
Reg. 2304 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wolfReward from long service and hard work
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gyronny of eight az. and gu. a wolf ramp. or, armed sa. langued of the second”
ChesterChester, c. 1580
Where the Hanke Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Hanke arms are recorded
The Hanke arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1580.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Hanke arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Chester.
Origin & History of the Hanke Family in England
The surname Hanke has roots that stretch back to the medieval period, primarily evolving as a diminutive form of the name Johannes or John. In Germany and parts of Central Europe, this name became a common way to identify individuals within a community. By the late sixteenth century, the family had established a presence in the historic city of Chester, England, as evidenced by records from 1580. During this era, Chester was a bustling center of trade and commerce, which likely drew families seeking new opportunities in urban life. Members of the Hanke family living in this region were part of the growing merchant and artisan classes that helped shape the social fabric of Elizabethan England. Their transition from continental Europe to the British Isles reflects the broader patterns of migration and cultural exchange that defined the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Johannes
God is gracious
This name
HankeA diminutive form of John, signifying a gracious gift from God.
also spelled
Hankey
Hanky
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop's Transcripts for the Diocese of Chester, 1580
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wolfReward from long service and hard work
wolfReward from long service and hard work
